All You Need to Know About the Business Empire of Badals

The empire includes several transport companies, a hospitality firm, and a media business.

The Grand business empire of the Badals includes several businesses in key markets.

Transport

Orbit Aviation

Into both aviation and road transport. Has fixed-wing aircraft and choppers. Dy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal’s father-in-law, Satyajit Majithia, and brother-in-law, Gurmehar Majithia are directors of the company. Two old Badal family loyalists, Mohd Jameel and Mohd Rafiq, too are directors.

Taj Travels

MD Lakhvir Singh alias Lakhi, Badals’ close associate, held 56.63% in 2012; another aide, Gurdeep Singh, 43.23%. As of March 31, 2013, fixed assets included Badal properties such as House No. 256 in Chandigarh’s Sec 9, Sukhbir’s residence, and land in Badal village. In 2014-15, it had 63 buses.

Dabwali Transport Co.

Sukhbir has 99.74 per cent stake. Directors are Jameel and Rafiq, the family loyalists. Investors are other family-linked companies

Hospitality

Orbit Resorts

Registered address is 256, Sec 9, Chandigarh — Sukhbir’s residence. As per the balance sheet filed in March 2013, family friends Jameel and Rafiq own shares, as do Sukhbir and his family. A venture similar to the multi-crore luxury property in Gurgaon is coming up in Mullanpur, 20 km from Chandigarh.
Media

G-Next Media Pvt Ltd

Has a TV network. In September 2012, 10,00,000 shares were transferred from the portfolio of Sukhbir Badal to G-Next Media Pvt Ltd. Orbit Resorts is a major stakeholder. Runs three channels: PTC Punjabi, PTC News, PTC Chakk De. PTC News is seen as a Badal mouthpiece.

60 crore was the couple’s worth during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. During the Punjab assembly elections of 2012, Sukhbir claimed their assets to be worth
Rs 90.86 crore.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal claimed to be poorer than his son and daughter-in-law together, with assets worth only Rs 6.75 crore in the 2012 elections. He was worth Rs 9.20 crore during the 2007 elections.